Happy Wishing Well~ness Wednesday and National Nutrition Month! It is official, the month of March is National Nutrition Month (NNM). Every year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics sponsors a campaign to promote a nutrition education and information campaign. This years theme is "Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right." According to www.eatright.org, "consumer research confirms that taste tops nutrition as the main reason why one food is purchased over another. While social, emotional, and health factors also play a role, the foods people enjoy are likely the ones they eat most. This years key messages for NNM focus on how to combine taste and nutrition to create healthy meals that follow the Dietary Guidelines recommendations." So, in a nutshell, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are saying that the general population chooses to eat less healthy options because they believe that healthy food does not taste as good. False, I say! Take it from me, taste buds do change. Back in the day, I was an avid lover of the fast-food burger combo meals and your run-of-the-mill frozen pizza, but no longer! Granted, it has been a journey of improved diet and lifestyle throughout the years, but I have arrived and YOU can to! Believe it or not, I now crave nutrient dense foods. I have reached the point in my life where I love and appreciate sitting down to a big, beautiful plate of colorful veggies and our much revered superfood, quinoa. This is not to say, that I do not enjoy the occasional decadent meal out with friends, but for the most part, my taste buds have made the shift to better health.Taste buds are constantly regenerating. Strange, but true, your taste buds produce anew every 10 days to two weeks. With this being said, it is possible to begin to enjoy foods that maybe you never really cared for in the past or recondition yourself to take pleasure in healthier food options now. Also, taste buds may change with hormones. This is a perfect hypothesis as to why pregnant women often can't stomach some of their regular favorites and develop cravings for various new edibles.

If you are interested in obtaining optimum health, or at least improving your health, start small and start now. Slowly bring in changes so that the body and mind can adapt. It is just as much, if not more, a mental challenge as a physical challenge. Remember, the goal is not to go on a diet, but to make diet and lifestyle changes. The objective is sustainability, not instant gratification. By making this conscious decision, it does NOT mean that you will never be able to indulge in your favorite foods. It just means finding a healthy alternative to them and, if desired, savoring them on special occasions. If you need guidance in making these changes, please feel free to contact me. If you need some inspiration, there are tons of healthy recipes out there. One of my top favorite websites for delicious and nutritious yummy goodness is www.ohsheglows.com. Check it out. Your taste buds will thank you.